Prevalence of intestinal parasites in Korea

ABSTRACT

A survey of intestinal parasites infection among Korean people has been carried out during July 1969 to December 1970. A total of 2,250 stool specimens (male 1,101, female 1,146) was collected from all the provinces and Seoul city in Korea. The specimens were examined routinely by direct fecal smear, zinc sulfate flotation and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. The results are summarized as follows Of 2,250 specimens examined, l,803(80.l per cent) were positive for intestinal parasites. The positive rates of intestinal helminths were 1,644(73.1 per cent) among 2,250; Ascaris lumbricoides 46.0 per cent, Trichocephalus trichiurus 46.8 percent, hookworm 6.8 per cent, Trichostrongylus orientalis 7.0 percent, Clonorchis sinensis 12.1 percent, Enterobius vermicularis 1.6 per cent, Hymenolepis nana 0.7 percent, Taenia species 0.3 per cent, Metagonimus yokogawai 0.04 percent, Fasciolidae 0.04 per cent and one case of lung fluke Paragonimu westermani. The positive rstes of intestinal protozoa were 786(34.9 per cent); Entamoeba histolytica 6.4 per cent, Entamoeba coli 20.5 percent, Endolimax nana 10.0 per cent, Giardia lamblia 5.1 per cent, Trichomonas hominis 1.1 percent, Chilomastix mesnili 0.5 percent, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.6 percent, Enteromonas hominis 0.7 percent, Dientamoeba fragilis 0.1 per cent and one case of Isospora hominis. Sexual distribution of helminths and protozoan infections showed higher rate in female than that of male, except C. sinensis, H. nana, Taenia species or G. lamblia Infections of T. trichiurus, hookworm, T. orientalis, C. sinensis, Taenia species, E. histolytica, E. coli and E. nana increased with age. Conversely, H. nana and G. lamblia infections were more predominent in younger ages.